Чума
Part I
"
Ashortwhilelater,atthestation,hewassettlingherintothesleeping-car.Shelookedaroundthecompartment.
"Isn’tthistooexpensiveforus?"
"Anecessaryexpense,"Rieuxsaid.
"Whatisthisbusinessabouttherats?"
"Idon’tknow.It’speculiar,butitwillpass."
Then,veryquickly,heaskedhertoforgivehim:heshouldhavebeenlookingafterherandhehadneglectedheralot.Sheshookherhead,asthoughtellinghimtobequiet.Butheadded:
"Everythingwillbebetterwhenyoucomeback.We’llstartagain."
"Yes,"shesaid,hereyesshining."We’llstartagain."
Amomentlatersheturnedawayfromhimandstaredoutofthewindow.Peoplewerepushingandshovingeachotherontheplatform.Theycouldhearthehissingofthesteam-engine.Hecalledhiswifebyherfirstnameandwhenshelookedroundhesawthatherfacewasbathedintears.
"No,"hesaidsoftly.
Hersmile,slightlystrained,returnedbeneaththetears.Shesigheddeeplyandsaid:
"Gonow,everythingwillbeallright."
Hehuggedherandthen,ontheplatform,outsidethewindow,couldseenothingexcepthersmile.
"Please,"hesaid."Takecareofyourself."
Butshecouldnothaveheardhim.
OnthestationplatformneartheexitRieuxranintoM.
